Apparatus and method for mechanical mixing of meat products

Abstract

An apparatus for producing protein breakdown on meat material is disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one tool configured for producing protein breakdown on meat material. The tool forms a mixing chamber for meat material. The mixing chamber has opposite chamber walls rotatable relative to each other for controlling forces exerted on meat material therebetween. A method for producing protein breakdown on meat material and a meat production plant including at least one apparatus are further disclosed.

1 . An apparatus for producing protein breakdown on meat material, the apparatus comprising at least one tool configured for producing protein breakdown on meat material, wherein the tool forms a mixing chamber for meat material, and wherein the mixing chamber has opposite chamber walls rotatable relative to each other for controlling forces exerted on meat material located therebetween. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the mixing chamber has chamber walls rotatable coaxially relative to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the chamber walls are rotatable relative to each other about a common vertical rotation axis. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the chamber walls are rotatable at different rotational speeds and/or in opposite rotational directions. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises two separate electric motors for driving the chamber walls. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the mixing chamber has at least partially conical and/or cylindrical chamber walls which are rotatable relative to each other. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the chamber walls rotatable relative to each other has a baffle for the meat material. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the chamber walls rotatable relative to each other have helical surfaces facing each other at least in some areas. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a feeding device for feeding meat material into the mixing chamber and/or a receptacle for meat material, from which the meat material Can be fed into the mixing chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the mixing chamber comprises both a feeding opening for meat material and a discharge opening, formed separately therefrom, for meat material with protein breakdown. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the tool has a rotatable drum and a rotating body mounted coaxially therein and rotatable independently of the drum, wherein the drum and the rotating body form the chamber walls of the mixing chamber which are rotatable relative to each other. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the drum forms a cylindrical or conical drum wall facing the rotating body and the rotating body forms a cylindrical or conical rotating body wall facing the drum, wherein the drum wall and the rotating body wall form the other rotatable chamber walls of the mixing chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus has a discharge device connected to the mixing chamber for meat material treated by the tool. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a vacuum can be generated within the mixing chamber. 
     
     
         15 . A meat production plant comprising:
 at least one apparatus according to  claim 1 ; and   a filling station at which pieces of the meat material with protein breakdown produced by means of the at least one apparatus can be filled into at least one mold provided at the filling station or can be portioned by a vacuumizer formed thereon.   
     
     
         16 . A method for producing protein breakdown on meat material, the method comprising feeding meat material to at least one mixing chamber, wherein opposite chamber walls of the mixing chamber are rotatable relative to each other for controlling forces exerted on meat material located therebetween. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the chamber walls can be rotated at least temporarily in opposite rotational directions and/or about a common vertical rotational axis.